Aikido Shinju-kai is proud to announce the establishment of its sister dojo - Aikikai Shanghai. Through Philip Lee Sensei's business trips to Shanghai in the recent years, a strong relationship was built between Aikido Shinju-kai and the Aikido school in Shanghai, which is under the guidance of Mr. Chen De Ming. This close relationship lead to the formation of a joint agreement between the two parties, with the blessing of Aikido Hombu Dojo, Japan, to further promote Aikido in China. The first dojo under this partnership was established in June 2002, located at Xi Jia Hui Sport Centre.

The first examination for kyu-grades was also jointly conducted on the 16th of November 2002 which saw 26 students taking their grades between 6th kyu and 2nd kyu. This is because the students in Shanghai had never been formally graded despite their long years of training. The first examination for dan grades is scheduled in early 2003 in conjunction with the visit of a Hombu Dojo instructor during the annual inspection tour around Asia.

Aikikai Shanghai has also conducted two public demonstrations in Shanghai, one on the 16th of Nov 2002, after the examination for kyu-grades. The second one was conducted at
Fu Dan University on the 1st of December 2002.

Group photograph right after the training with Philip Sensei, Chen Laoshi and members of Aikido Shinju-kai (Singapore) & Aikikai Shanghai.

The history of Aikido in Shanghai started when the Chief Instructor of Aikikai Shanghai, Mr. Chen De Ming took up the art in 1969. Mr. Chen De Ming, who is affectionately known as Chen Laoshi (meaning teacher in Mandarin) among his students, learnt his Aikido under Mr.Luo, who picked up the art during his stay in Japan in 1939-1953. When Chen Laoshi started learning Aikido, training was conducted in a park as there was no proper dojo yet at the time.

In 1980, Chen Laoshi managed to secure a dojo in Xi Jia Hui gymnasium. This building was torn down in 1991 and training was shifted to Yangpu Sports Hall which is still operating today.

In 2001, Philip Sensei visited an Aikido class at Yangpu Sports Hall where he met Chen Laoshi for the first time. Since then, they have built up a good friendship which developed into the partnership of Aikikai Shanghai.

The Aikido students of Shanghai, with some of the Singapore members, (with Philip Sensei and Chen LaoShi in the middle) at the celebration dinner after the grading.